The MINI John Cooper Works WRC to make British debut

Subject: The MINI John Cooper Works WRC to make British debut 10th May 2011, 23:25

The MINI John Cooper Works WRC to make British debut.

Dani Sordo will drive the MINI John Cooper Works WRC on its British debut this weekend at the Cornbury Park Rally Show, fresh from securing a superb sixth place finish at Rally Italy and where the MINI WRC Team made its first ever appearance.

The MINI WRC Team driver will put the car through its paces on 14 and 15 May, only a week after Rally Italy in Sardinia, its first outing in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The 1.1 mile stage at Cornbury Park will be the first event British rally fans get to see the MINI in action on home soil and will provide a thrilling opportunity for VIPs to accompany Dani Sordo on one of the runs.

After an exciting weekend in Sardinia, Dani Sordo said, “It will be great to be back in the MINI John Cooper Works WRC so soon after our debut in Italy. I know that everyone in the UK wants to see the car in action and I aim to give the thousands of rally fans at Cornbury Park a great display.”

Dani Sordo, from Spain, is one of two experienced drivers the MINI WRC Team has put its faith in. Kris Meeke, from Northern Ireland, will also face up to the challenge of the WRC for the first time in 2011. Both drivers showed good turns of speed in Rally Italy that bodes well for the future. Dani brought his car to the ceremonial finish in sixth whilst Kris sadly suffered a technical problem which prevented him from finishing.

MINI’s eagerly anticipated return of to the international motorsport stage begins a new era for the brand. In 2011, the MINI WRC Team will compete at selected rounds of the WRC in order to prepare for the complete 2012 World Championship season. Based on the MINI Countryman, the MINI John Cooper Works WRC has been developed by Prodrive and is equipped with a 1.6 litre turbo engine further developed by BMW Motorsport.

Jochen Goller, Director of MINI UK, said, “We are delighted to be able to demonstrate the MINI John Cooper Works WRC to MINI fans in the UK for the first time. The Cornbury Park Show is a great location and so close to MINI Plant Oxford, where the launch of the WRC Team took place on 11th April.”